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US Graduate Programme

  • 02-07-2010 7:48pm
    #1
    dellas1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭


    hi guys,

    I am nearly finished a 2 year Masters by part-time. Am early 30s. I am currently enquiring if I am eligible for the 1 year US visa/work placement programme.

    I currently work full-time, but its contract (could end anytime) and not what I want to do. Ive no mortgage and no children. Nothing to loose in effect.

    Has anyone ever done the programme? It has to be in an area that you studied/graduated in and you cannot use employment agencies etc, which begs the question, how do you get a job then (I mean I presume you have to be paid in order to live?).

    As said above, I am not sure if I am eligible due to length of course (says something about 1 year course).
    Thanks,

    Dellas


Comments

  • #2
    dellas1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭dellas1979


    Bump!
    Has noone every applied/done this???


  • #3
    clarelad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 171 ✭✭clarelad


    hi dellas,

    remember seeing something about this visa,try rooting around here

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=213 :)


  • #4
    clarelad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 171 ✭✭clarelad


    is this what you were looking for?

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055381254


  • #5
    dellas1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭dellas1979


    Thanks clarelad. Am reading throught the second link now.

    It is something I am very interested in - I have made an enquiry but they have to check out if the masters I am doing is eligible for this visa.

    It is pretty expensive to apply for (luckily I have worked full time through college) and I have no idea how you would get a job if you cannot canvass yourself. And it has to be in that area!

    Has anyone ever done this j visa, 1 year thing and if so what was your experience/howd you get a job?


  • #6
    pow wow
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,288 ✭✭✭pow wow


    I'm putting the wheels in motion to do it at the end of this year (just before the end of the 12 month post-graduation window :D). It's cheaper if you go through the IIC (clickety) than say USIT or other providers. It's a relatively new programme so you might not find anyone posting who has done it yet.

    Re. the job, you can approach employers directly which can be more difficult than using an agency but it's by no means impossible.


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  • #7
    lonestargirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭lonestargirl


    OP, it's worth your while posting your question over on the North America forum. There are a couple of regular posters who are in the US on the IWT J1 visa. And if you have any questions about specific areas or jobs the rest of us may be able to help.


  • #8
    dellas1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭dellas1979


    Thanks guys.
    I am going to wait to see what the IIC says. Will wait to see what he says tomorrow (if this Masters that Im doing qualifies me or not). They were not sure.
    Thankfully money isnt an issue right now, but I imagine so after living for 3/4 months there.
    Am just not clear on exactly how you are supposed to approach companies i.e. hello I have applied for a j visa to gain experience in my field of study and am looking for a paid internship?


  • #9
    lonestargirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭lonestargirl


    dellas1979 wrote: »
    Thankfully money isnt an issue right now, but I imagine so after living for 3/4 months there.

    You will be surprised how much money moving over costs you. US apartments are generally let completely unfurnished. As you won't have a credit history you may have to pay a larger than usual deposit on your accomadation and also a deposit for most utilities. When choosing a city to live in it would be worth considering whether you will need a car to get around or not - don't just consider getting to work look at where the nearest grocery store is.
    dellas1979 wrote: »
    Am just not clear on exactly how you are supposed to approach companies i.e. hello I have applied for a j visa to gain experience in my field of study and am looking for a paid internship?

    What area do you work in? You don't have to say you are looking for a internship, just say a job (many US internships are unpaid). I would pick an area of the US you want to go to, research the companies in your field in that area and start contacting them. Remember you can use the VWP to look for a job or to go to an interview it's just not recommended that you sign a contract while in the US on the VWP. Remember, if eligible, you have one year from graduation to get the visa. Use this time to network and try and have a job set up before you go.


  • #10
    dellas1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭dellas1979


    Would it not be advisable to tell them when applying that it is part of the visa thing?
    Moving there etc doesnt phase me, its the getting a job to sustain living over there.
    For example, Ive been saving quite hard for a deposit for a house - I dont want to have to dip into that over there and have nothing when I come back...just trying to be premptive I guess.


  • #11
    lonestargirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭lonestargirl


    dellas1979 wrote: »
    Would it not be advisable to tell them when applying that it is part of the visa thing?

    Of course they will want to know what visa you are on, just say J1 IWT. It's just that here internship often equals unpaid. You are looking for a year's work experience in your field of study.
    dellas1979 wrote: »
    Moving there etc doesnt phase me, its the getting a job to sustain living over there.
    For example, Ive been saving quite hard for a deposit for a house - I dont want to have to dip into that over there and have nothing when I come back...just trying to be premptive I guess.

    You do seem quite sensible and organised about the financial side of things. One thing to consider is that the cost of living varies widely across the US. When we decided to come over I initially had the romantic ideal of living in New York - but the cost of living in Manhatten is astronomical. Not saying you have to go to rural backwater, I'm in Houston which is the 4th largest city in the US. Certain industries are concentrated in certain cities, here it's healthcare and the oil and gas industry. Do your research about your field of study.


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  • #12
    dellas1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭dellas1979


    Thanks again lonestar.

    I'll be honest and say that it will be new york or nothing - I know thats cutting my nose off despite my face, but I am not getting any younger and I know what exactly I want now! 3 or 6 months would be fabulous.

    I will wait and see what they say tomorrow. I went on holidays etc in my 20s and was quite happy working away and saving money. Now Im 30s - I am finishing my education for the 2nd time around-ive no ties. If I ever do a PhD it will be in my 40s. So I figure why not? The only catch for me, as said before is finding a paid job, in the related field (instructional design/elearning or technical writing). I really dont know where to start - will have to make a strategy.


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